20 MIND-BLOWING Easter Eggs Hidden in Your Favorite Movies and Shows!

Have you ever watched a movie or series and felt like something was hidden just out of sight? Well, you’re probably right—because filmmakers love to sneak in Easter eggs that go unnoticed, even when they’re right in front of us.

Starting off at number 20, Pixar’s A113, a classic Easter egg that shows up in almost every Pixar movie. You might’ve seen it on license plates, doors, or computer screens, but did you know it’s actually a reference to a classroom at CalArts where many Pixar animators studied? Next time you’re watching Toy Story or Finding Nemo, keep an eye out for this iconic nod to Pixar’s origins.

At 19, we’ve got a sneaky Star Wars reference hidden in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. As Indy is exploring a tomb in Egypt, look closely at the hieroglyphics on the wall. That’s right—there’s a carving of R2-D2 and C-3PO hidden among the ancient drawings. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg just couldn’t resist crossing over their two legendary franchises.

Coming in at number 18, The Matrix is known for mind-bending details, but one Easter egg that’s hiding in plain sight? Neo’s passport. If you freeze-frame during the interrogation scene, the expiration date on his passport is September 11, 2001. Now, considering this movie came out in 1999, it’s a pretty eerie coincidence that adds a layer of mystery to the already intense film.

At 17, we have a nod to the Marvel Cinematic Universe hidden in plain sight in Iron Man 2. While Tony Stark is working on his new suit, there’s a map in the background marking several interesting locations. One of those dots is in Wakanda—years before Black Panther was even announced! This shows that Marvel was laying the groundwork for its future superhero blockbusters way before they hit the big screen.

At 16, remember that iconic scene in Pulp Fiction where Bruce Willis grabs a weapon to face down his enemies? First, it’s a hammer, then a bat, then a chainsaw, and finally a samurai sword. That samurai sword is a subtle nod to Quentin Tarantino’s future film Kill Bill, connecting his cinematic universe in ways we didn’t even notice the first time around.

Sliding into number 15, The Simpsons has been dropping Easter eggs for decades, but did you catch this one? In the episode where Homer joins the Stonecutters, there’s a painting in their secret lair that mirrors the famous “Dogs Playing Poker” art. Except, in this version, the dogs are playing poker with—you guessed it—Homer’s head! It’s a classic Simpsons twist that’s easy to overlook but pure gold once you notice.

At 14, we’ve got a sweet detail from Stranger Things that hardcore fans of 80s movies might recognize. In season 3, when Hopper shows up to Joyce’s house in that ridiculous floral shirt, it’s not just a random outfit choice—it’s a tribute to Magnum P.I., another beloved show from the 80s. Everything from the design to the color is a perfect match!

Number 13 might blow your mind: in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Marauder’s Map shows several characters moving around the castle in real-time, but there’s one strange pairing you probably didn’t catch—two sets of footprints very close together, suggesting a romantic rendezvous between two Hogwarts professors! The filmmakers snuck in this detail for die-hard fans to uncover.

At number 12, let’s talk about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Remember that scene where Ego is explaining his celestial powers to Star-Lord? Behind them, there are colorful orbs of light representing different planets. Look closely, and you’ll spot a glimpse of Earth, but even more hidden is a planet that looks strikingly similar to the one seen in Thor: Ragnarok. The crossover hints were there long before anyone realized it.

Number 11 comes from The Office, where the show is packed with small details, but this one flies under the radar. During one of the Halloween episodes, Jim dresses up as “Dave.” It’s so simple, it’s funny. But the real Easter egg is the fact that this was a callback to a background character named Dave who was only mentioned once in the series!

At number 10, we’re heading into Middle-earth. In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, when the Fellowship enters the Mines of Moria, the filmmakers made a genius reference to The Hobbit. There’s a scene where Gandalf stumbles upon a book that recounts the fall of Balin’s colony. The Easter egg? The book itself mimics the story beats of The Hobbit, right down to the dragon’s fiery doom.

Coming in at number 9, let’s talk about the hidden Avengers cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming. During one of Peter Parker’s history classes, there’s a photo on the wall of Dr. Abraham Erskine—the scientist who created Captain America’s super-serum. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it detail that ties Spidey’s high school life directly to the larger Marvel universe.

At 8, Breaking Bad is filled with subtle visual clues, but one that stands out is Walt’s pants from season 1. Remember when they flew off his RV in the desert? Well, they actually reappear in the final season during a shot in the exact same desert. They’re old, tattered, and dirty—but still there, symbolizing how far Walt has fallen.

Number 7 takes us to Game of Thrones, where the showrunners hid all kinds of Easter eggs. One that’s so obvious, you probably missed it? The Starbucks cup in season 8. It became infamous for being an unintentional mistake, but some fans theorized it was left in on purpose—because when has Westeros ever had disposable coffee cups?

At number 6, we go back to Pixar with Finding Dory. Near the end of the film, Dory swims past a group of fish in quarantine. Look closely, and you’ll see a familiar face—none other than Hank the septopus, blending in perfectly with his surroundings. He’s so camouflaged, it’s no wonder fans didn’t notice him hiding in plain sight.

For number 5, let’s jump into Rick and Morty. There’s an episode where Rick is seen briefly talking to what seems like a random alien. But hardcore fans of the show will recognize that alien as the same one who appears in the background of multiple episodes, hinting that he’s part of some larger, unexplained narrative.

At number 4, we’ve got a subtle throwback in The Dark Knight Rises. When Bruce Wayne escapes from the pit, he throws a rope down to the prisoners below. That rope isn’t just a means of escape—it’s the same knot used in Batman Begins to symbolize trust and unity. A nice callback to Bruce’s training days with Ra’s al Ghul.

For number 3, let’s visit Stranger Things again, where the Duffer Brothers snuck in a subtle Ghostbusters reference. During the Halloween episode of season 2, the boys dress up as the iconic paranormal investigators. But did you catch the small detail where Dustin’s Proton Pack had real metal parts, unlike the plastic ones used by the others? It’s a fitting nod to his inventive nature.

At number 2, we’ve got Jurassic Park. Everyone remembers the T. rex roar, but did you notice that in Jurassic World, the new Indominus rex uses the same iconic roar as the original T. rex? It’s a subtle audio clue that ties the films together in a very cool way.

And finally, at number 1, a mind-blowing Easter egg from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. During the scene where Rey scavenges parts from the Star Destroyer, you can hear a faint echo of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s voice from A New Hope. It’s a subtle audio Easter egg that connects Rey’s journey to the original trilogy in the most nostalgic way possible.